84,488,480 programs installed

Should I remove Skype?

What percent of users and experts removed it?
8% remove it92% keep it
Overall Sentiment
Very good
What do people think about it?
(click star to rate)
How common is it?
Global Rank #26,214
Reach 0.0063%
Lifespan of installation (until removal)
< 32.62 days
962.15 days >
Average installed length: 505.54 days

Versions

VersionDistribution
5.2.113 81.60%
5.2.102 18.40%

Skype 5.2

What is Skype?

Skype is a proprietary Voice over IP service and software application. The service allows users to communicate with peers by voice using a microphone, video by using a webcam, and instant messaging over the Internet. Phone calls may be placed to recipients on the traditional telephone networks. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free of charge, while calls to landline telephones and mobile phones are charged via a debit-based user account system. Unlike most other VoIP services, Skype is a hybrid peer-to-peer and client–server system. It makes use of background processing on computers running Skype software. Skype's original proposed name (Sky Peer-to-Peer) reflects this fact. Skype is claimed to be a secure communication; encryption cannot be disabled, and is invisible to the user.

About  (from Skype Technologies)

You can make Skype calls to people who have emailed you and even call phones and mobile around the world with pretty cheap rates. Why just talk when you can see each other face-to-face? Video call your family in Australia, your friends in Spain or your colleagues in Japan, for free. It’s the next best thing to being th...  Read more
Overview
  • Starts automatically
  • Integrates into the web browser

Program detailsProgram details

URL: www.skype.com
Help link: ui.skype.com/ui/0/5.2.60.113/en/help
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\Skype\
Uninstaller: MsiExec.exe /X{5335DADB-34BA-4AE8-A519-648D78498846}
(The Windows Installer is used for the installation, maintenance, and removal.)
Estimated size: 28.9 MB
Language: English (United States)

Program filesFiles installed by Skype 5.2

Program executable:skype.exe
Path:C:\Program Files\skype\phone\skype.exe
MD5:3e8ac12c221845fd7eebc77f72633a29
Additional files:
  • SPhoneParser.dll - Skype Phone number parser
  • SkypeBrowserOptions.dll - Skype Toolbars (Skype plug-in settings dialog)
  • skypeieplugin.dll - Skype add-on for IE
  • SkypeIEPluginBroker.exe - Skype broker for IE add-on
  • SkypePnr.dll - Skype Phone Number Recognizer
  • skypePM.exe - Skype Extras Manager
  • ezPMUtils.dll (by EasyBits Media AS) - Skype Extras Manager Utilites
  • MSIExecWatcher.exe

Program behaviorsBehaviors exhibited

Internet Explorer BHO
  • skypeieplugin.dll is installed in Internet Explorer as a BHO (Browser Helper Object) under the name 'Skype Plug-In' with the class of {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} (SkypeIEPluginBHO).
Internet Explorer Extension
  • skypeieplugin.dll is installed as an Internet Explorer extension as 'Skype Browser Helper' with a class of {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5}.
Startup File (User Run)
  • Skype.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'Skype' and executes as "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized.
2 Windows Firewall Allowed Programs
  • skypePM.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Programas\Skype\Plugin Manager\skypePM.exe'.
  • Skype.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe'.

Program resource utilizationResource utilization averages

skypePM.exe
Memory:12.84 MB
21.09 MB average
Total CPU:0.0044418892%
0.031193% average
Kernel CPU:0.00250564%
0.016088% average
User CPU:0.00193624%
0.015104% average
Switches/sec:1
70 average
I/O reads/min:166 Bytes
435.61 KB average
I/O writes/min:8 Bytes
105.02 KB average

How do I remove Skype?

You can uninstall Skype from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
  1. On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
    • Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
    • Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
  2. When you find the program Skype™ 5.2, click it, and then do one of the following:
    • Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
    • Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
  3. Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove Skype.

How do I reset my web browser?

If your web browser homepage and search settings have been modfied by Skype 5.2 you can restore them to their previous default settings.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome

OS VERSIONS
Win 7 (SP1) 36%
Win Vista (SP2) 2%
 
WHEN IT STARTS
Auto-starting? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
 
USER ACTIONS
Uninstall it 8%
Keep it 92%

Windows OS versionsWindows

Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
Windows 7 66.40%
Windows XP 18.40%
Windows 10 12.80%
Windows Vista 2.40%
Which OS releases does it run on?
Windows 7 Ultimate 44.00%
Microsoft Windows XP 18.40%
Windows 7 Professional 8.80%
Windows 7 Home Premium 7.20%
Windows 7 Home Basic 3.20%
Windows 8 Pro 2.40%

Distribution by countryGeography

12.12% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
  United States 12.12%
  IQ 8.33%
  India 7.58%
  Indonesia 6.06%
  Philippines 5.30%
  United Arab Emirates 5.30%
  Egypt 4.55%
  MA 3.03%
  Romania 3.03%
  Malaysia 3.03%
  KH 2.27%
  Brazil 2.27%
  Thailand 2.27%
  DZ 2.27%

OEM distributionPC manufacturers

What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
Acer 26.14%
Hewlett-Packard 25.00%
Dell 21.59%
GIGABYTE 6.82%
ASUS 6.82%
Toshiba 4.55%
Intel 2.27%
Lenovo 2.27%
Sahara 2.27%
Samsung 2.27%
Common models
HP Pavilion 15 Notebook P... 2.11%
HP EliteBook 8530p 2.11%
Hewlett-Packard Presario ... 2.11%
HP ProBook 4720s 1.05%
HP Pavilion g6 Notebook P... 1.05%
HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook ... 1.05%

About Skype Technologies

Skype (now a Microsoft company) developes and operates the VoIP software and service Skype which was released as a simple computer-to-computer, or computer-to-telephone program.
Publisher URL: www.skype.com

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